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Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis)
Alternate Names : Complicated Urinary Tract Infection, Infection - Kidney, Pyelonephritis, Urinary Tract Infection - Complicated
DefinitionPyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney and the ducts that carry urine away from the kidney (ureters).
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Pyelonephritis most often occurs as a result of urinary tract infection, particularly in the presence of occasional or persistent backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters or kidney pelvis (vesicoureteric reflux).
Pyelonephritis can be further classified as follows:
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Acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis (sudden development of kidney inflammation)
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Chronic pyelonephritis (a long-standing infection that does not clear)
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Reflux nephropathy ( an infection that occurs in the presence of an obstruction)
Although cystitis (bladder infection) is common, pyelonephritis occurs much less often. The risk is increased if there is a history of cystitis, renal papillary necrosis, kidney stones, vesicoureteric reflux, or obstructive uropathy.
The risk is also increased when there is a history of chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection and when the infection is caused by a particularly aggressive type of bacteria.
Acute pyelonephritis can be severe in the elderly and in people who are immunosuppressed (for example, those with cancer or AIDS).
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): Symptoms & Signs
• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): Prevention
• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): Diagnosis & Tests
• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): Treatment
• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): Prognosis
• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acute Kidney Failure
• AIDS
• Cancer
• Immunodeficiency Disorders
• Injury - Kidney and Ureter
• Nephrolithiasis
• Obstructive Uropathy
• Reflux Nephropathy
• Renal Papillary Necrosis
• Sepsis
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Urinary Tract Infection - Chronic or Recurrent
Tests & Exams
• Abdominal CT Scan
• Abdominal Ultrasound
• Blood Culture
• Intravenous Pyelogram
• Renal Biopsy
• Renal Scan
• Urinalysis
• Urine Culture - Catheterized Specimen
• Urine Culture - Clean Catch
• Urine Odor
• Voiding Cystourethrogram
• WBC Count
Other Topics
• Abdominal Pain
• Acute
• Back Pain - Low
• Chronic
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Flank Pain
• Malaise
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Palpation
• Skin Blushing/Flushing
• Sweating - Excessive
• Urinary Frequency/Urgency
• Urination - Excessive at Night
• Urination - Painful
• Urine - Abnormal Color
• Urine - Bloody
• Urine Output - Decreased
Review Date : 7/30/2002
Reviewed By : Christopher Parsons, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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